Community Redevelopment Agency

The Redevelopment Works campaign is raising awareness about the importance of Florida’s community redevelopment agencies (CRAs), which serve to revitalize communities. View the campaign video.

Description

On September 25, 1980, the City Council made the determination that a blighted area existed in the City, and that there was a need for a redevelopment agency to implement the revitalization of this blighted area. Therefore, Resolution 54-80 (PDF) created the Pensacola Inner City Community Redevelopment Area and Resolution 65-81 (PDF) reaffirmed it. Based on this determination, the City Council declared itself the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 163, Part III, Florida Statutes. This action, adopted by Resolution No. 55-80 (PDF) and amended by Resolution 22-10 (PDF), also outlined the rights, powers, duties, privileges and immunities invested in the City Council acting as the CRA. The CRA as an agency exists until dissolved by action of the City Council. Downtown Pensacola's redevelopment efforts are guided by the Community Redevelopment Agency which is comprised of the eight City Council members and a citizenry determined to revitalize the historic waterfront and inner city neighborhoods.

The Community Redevelopment Agency is funded by tax increment financing. When the Trust Funds were established, a 'snapshot' of the base year was taken of the area's taxable property values. As capital improvements and other developments take place within the CRA district, these taxable values rise. The difference ("increment") between the original values and current values is collected by the taxation authority and deposited in the Trust Funds. On August 28, 2014, Ordinance 31-14 (PDF) rescinded the 2007 base year for the Westside Community Redevelopment Area taxable property values and established a new base year of 2013.

Mission & Vision

Pensacola is a 450-year-old city with a rich history and exciting future. Also known as the City of Five Flags, Pensacola is the largest city in West Florida. Having been governed by five nations since its discovery in 1559 (Spain, France, England, the Confederate States of America, and the United States of America), Pensacola offers up a diverse palette, with business and industry such as the medical and chemical fields, military and governmental operations, and tourism and retail shopping blending into a rich cultural and artistic heritage.

Pensacola's downtown is in the heart of a region of over 300,000 people with diverse backgrounds and interests. It's a downtown where residents, office workers and visitors stroll comfortably along historic streets, shop in clothing stores, browse for art or sample restaurants where menus range from tasty Gulf Coast seafood to top-notch French cuisine. The many museums tell the story of Pensacola's past as the surrounding businesses, theaters and the seats of both city and county government create Pensacola's future.

Come see us - there are many opportunities awaiting you in historic Pensacola.

CRA Board

The members of the City Council serve as CRA board members. For a current listing of these members as well as contact information, please visit the City of Pensacola's City Council webpage.

CRA Charter

CRA's Charter, adopted by Resolution No. 55-80 (PDF) and amended by Resolution 22-10 (PDF), outlines the rights, powers, duties, privileges and immunities invested in the City Council acting as the CRA currently states that the City of Pensacola's ordinances, policies and rules of procedure apply to the CRA, unless expressly provided otherwise by law or action of the Agency. Click here for the CRA Bylaws (PDF).

CRA District Map

The Pensacola Inner City Community Redevelopment Area is a 1,237-block, 4,611-acre area that encompasses the entire city from 17th Avenue on the east, Pensacola Bay on the south, Bayou Chico and the City limit line on the west and the city limit line on the north. It accounts for about 31.8% of the City's total land area. The CRA District Map depicts the boundaries of each CRA district.

The Urban Core Community Redevelopment Area is a 256-block, 1,308-acre area that encompasses the entire city south of Cervantes Street, bounded to the west by A Street and to the east by 17th Avenue. These boundaries are similar (but not identical) to those of the Downtown Improvement Board's taxation district. It accounts for about 8.7% of the City's total land area. The CRA District Map depicts the boundaries of each CRA district.

The Urban Infill and Redevelopment Area (commonly referred to as Eastside) is a 107-block, 257-acre area, bounded on the south by Cervantes Street, on the west by Hayne Street, on the east by 9th Avenue from Cervantes Street to Lee Street, 8th Avenue from Lee to Mallory and 6th Avenue from Mallory to Baars and the city limit line/Baars Street on the north. It accounts for about 1.8% of the City's total land area. The CRA District Map depicts the boundaries of each CRA district.

The Westside Community Redevelopment Area is a 322-block, 1,141-acre area that encompasses the area bounded by A Street, Lloyd Street alley and E Street on the east, Gimble and Pine Streets on the south, the L& N Railroad and the City limit line on the west and the City limit line on the north. It accounts for about 7.9% of the City's total land area. The CRA District Map depicts the boundaries of each CRA district.

Annual Reports

Pursuant to Chapter 163 of the Florida Statutes, the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) of the City of Pensacola must file with the governing body on or before March 31st of each year, a report of its activity for the preceding fiscal year, which report shall include a complete financial statement setting forth its assets, liabilities, income, and operating expenses as of the end of such fiscal year. The report for the most recent completed fiscal year can be viewed by clicking the link below. The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) is the City's official financial document and should be read in conjunction with this document.

Financial Information

CRA Revenue

Pursuant to F.S. 163.387, a redevelopment trust fund may be established for a community redevelopment area to finance or refinance community redevelopment. Annual funding of the redevelopment trust fund for the community redevelopment area is 95% of the difference between the amount of property taxes levied in the community redevelopment area each year and the amount of property taxes that would have been produced in the community redevelopment area prior to establishment of the trust fund. For fiscal year 2016, the property tax rate levied by the City of Pensacola is 4.285 mils and 6.6165 mils by Escambia County.